Method and system for message routing

Abstract

A method and system for forwarding information, such as a message waiting indicator (MWI) message, to a telephone number corresponding to a foreign network (e.g., a wireless network) and a shared NPA / NXX—The invention evaluates individual telephone numbers of shared NPA / NXXs to determine to what networks to send messages. A representative embodiment of the invention uses a service control point and service package application to deliver an MWI message from a messaging service provider to a wireless (i e., foreign network) telephone number of a shared NPA / NXX, Shared NPA / NXXs are marked as “portable” in a signal transfer point for forwarding to the service control point, which determines whether the shared NPA / NXX telephone numbers require local number portability global title translation or should be forwarded to an inter-switch voicemail routing (ISVMR) service package application. The ISVMR service package application determines the point code to which the MWI message should be routed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of copending U.S. utility application entitled, “Method and System for Message Routing,” having Ser. No. 09 / 742,376, filed Dec. 22, 2000, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to the field of switched telephony, and more particularly, to a method and system for integrating wireless telephones into a wireline messaging environment. [0004] 2. Background of the Invention [0005] With the proliferation of wireless communication networks, many telephone customers now use a combination of wireline and wireless telephones to meet their communication needs. Indeed, it is not uncommon for a single user to have more than one telephone line at home, more than one telephone line at work, and at least one wireless telephone. Telephone customers have come to depend on the flexibility of this combination to communicate irrespe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a method and system for forwarding information to telephone numbers of a foreign network that is part of a shared NPA / NXX. Rather than relying on the simple 6-digit NPA / NXX routing of the prior art, the method and system evaluate individual telephone numbers of shared NPA / NXXs to determine where, i.e., to which networks, information should be sent. This expanded service offering widens a telephone service provider's customer base and generates increased profits. The service control point determines whether the telephone number requires special routing or conventional LNP network routing, and the service control point formulates routing instructions accordingly. The ISVMR service package application determines the carrier identification of the non-local foreign network to which the shared NPA / NXX telephone number belongs, and the service control point returns the message and its new routing instructions to the signal transfer point to route the MWI message to the appropriate foreign network. The invention enables the delivery of information to telephone numbers associated with shared NPA / NXXs and foreign networks, integrates wireless telephones into a wireline messaging environment, and provides a cost-effective means for providing message waiting indicators on telephone numbers associated with shared NPA / NXXs and foreign networks, especially wireless networks."

Problems solved by technology

However, having multiple wireline and wireless telephone numbers presents problems retrieving telephone messages.

Despite providing centralized voicemail boxes, these integrated voicemail services present difficulties in notifying a user of the receipt of a message.

Unfortunately, not all NPA / NXXs are wholly owned by a single carrier.

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